Addressing the Theological and Spiritual Issues of the Broad Messianic Movement
According to Revelation 12:17 and 14:12, the end-time saints or holy ones will keep God’s commandments and hold to faith in Yeshua. Many in the Torah movement think that because they keep the seventh-day Sabbath/Shabbat, remember the appointed times of Leviticus 23, and eat a kosher-style of diet—that the Lord will give them special protection in the Last Days.
Why does the Jewish community call Yom Teruah “Rosh HaShanah”? I thought the Biblical New Year began in the Spring.
J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the study questions for Ch 5 in the Messianic Beginnings workbook:
1. Do you think it is significant that large numbers of non-Jewish Believers are celebrating the Biblical holidays?
2. Why are we to celebrate the Biblical moedim?
3. Briefly describe Passover and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
4. Briefly describe the Festival of Unleavened Bread and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
5. Briefly describe the Feast of Weeks and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
6. Briefly describe the Day of Blowing and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
7. Briefly describe the Day of Atonement and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
8. Briefly describe the Feast of Tabernacles and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
9. Briefly describe the Eighth Day Assembly and its significance to us as Believers in Messiah.
10. When Believers celebrate the appointed times today, what should be the emphasis of our celebration? To what regard should Jewish tradition be incorporated? How should we properly allow for variance in celebration?
11. Are you excited about celebrating the Biblical holidays? Why or why not?
12. Why do you think mainstream Christianity today largely does not keep the appointed times, or believes them to be unimportant?
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries goes through some of the important Biblical and prophetic reasons as to why many of today’s Believers are finding great importance in the appointed times or moedim.
The discussion of the Apostle Paul in Romans 14, has been traditionally viewed from the perspective that he considers matters of the seventh-day Sabbath and kosher dietary laws, to be one entirely of opinion for Messiah followers. If a person keeps Shabbat or eats kosher, that is fine—but if a person does not keep Shabbat or does not eat kosher, that is fine as well.
Some controversial circumstances arose among the Roman Believers, involving sacred days and eating. But are these sacred days and eating, actually the appointed times and dietary laws? Or, might something else be in view? Is it possible to have a pro-Torah vantage point when approaching Romans 14?
Judah Himango and John McKee both agree that God’s Torah is essential instruction to be known, studied, and implemented by all of His people—yet there are challenges and problems which have to be navigated when one identifies the extremes of legalism and lawlessness.
The following presentation was broadcasted for Christ for the Nations Bless Israel Week, 01 October, 2020
Mark and Margaret Huey, and John McKee, discuss how the Fall High Holidays have significantly impacted them, in their collective Messianic experience since 1995.
J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics goes through the six study questions for Unit Two in The Messianic Walk workbook:
1. What do you think there is to learn about the work of Yeshua the Messiah, in both studying and honoring, the appointed times or moedim?
2. Which one of the appointed times are you most familiar with? Which one of the appointed times do you need to look into further?
3. What are some of the conflicts and misunderstandings that can erupt when today’s Messianic people keep the appointed times?
4. What are some of the major conflicts that can take place as they involve today’s Messianic movement, and traditional Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter? How do you intend to reduce tensions?
5. Are you aware of some of the problems and challenges that can erupt when the appointed times are observed with a Messianic congregation? If so, fairly describe your experience.
6. What might be some of the the distinct challenges present in a Messianic Jewish congregation, when there has been insufficient attention given to understanding mainline Jewish traditions and customs associated with the appointed times?
J.K. McKee of Messianic Apologetics discusses a number of the significant controversies which unfortunately do erupt, when the appointed times are observed in many Messianic settings.
